Cybercirujas Bridges Digital Divide
===================================

by Mariela Laksman

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina--From a young age, I took an active interest
in recycling and repairing abandoned technology. With passion, I
transformed basic electronic parts into complex machinery components.
In my first job maintaining factory technology, I discovered how
large corporations routinely discarded functional parts and products
instead of repairing them. In response, I collected discarded parts,
repaired them, and repurposed them into valuable tools for my
community and myself. Eventually, this journey resulted in the
creation of Cybercirujas, a community project.

[The Cybercirujas movement has become a nationwide network in
Argentina, hosting workshops and repair events to promote technology refurbishment, support free software, and foster a culture of
responsible and accessible tech use.]

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Man bridges the digital gap, delivering repaired electronics to ---------------------------------------------------------------
underprivileged communities
---------------------------

I am self-taught, having used Free software to empower myself and my
community. Eventually, I began teaching others and became an
activist, recognizing how technology opens doors while deepening
inequalities. In low-income communities, where life can be
challenging, I witnessed how technology served as both a blessing and
a curse.

The COVID-19 Pandemic only widened the digital divide. I witnessed
countless people, especially students and low-income workers,
excluded from education and work due to a lack of access to
technological resources. In response, Nicolás Wolovick, a friend and
professor at the National University of Córdoba, and I launched a
network to recover and redistribute unused electronic equipment.
Prioritizing reconditioning electronic devices, we began delivering
them to those who needed them most.

Diligently, we repaired electronic devices and extended their
lifespan, reducing environmental impact and challenging the
consumption driven by large technology corporations. We fought
against planned obsolescence, which forces relentless consumption and
produces millions of tons of electronic waste. With every piece of
recovered equipment, we claimed a small victory over the throwaway
system, providing digital inclusion to those excluded.

Successfully, we restored and distributed equipment for free,
empowering people with the tools to advance in the digital world.
Consequently, our project narrowed the digital gap in low-income
communities. As we continue fighting for social justice, I worked
toward a sustainable future for my community.

[Side:

Soldán, one of the founders of the Cybercirujas movement, has also
been an elementary school teacher. During his years of teaching,
Soldán was committed to an alternative approach to education,
promoting the conscious and critical use of technology. His role as a
teacher played a key part in shaping his approach to alternative
education, linking his work with the principles of accessibility,
repair, and reuse of technology. Currently, Cybercirujas has expanded
into a federal network across various cities in Argentina, hosting
collective repair events, donation campaigns, and workshops to raise
awareness about the impact of technological consumption. This
community not only refurbishes equipment but has also become a space
for education and discussion on technology and sustainability.
Through free software, the project promotes a culture of learning and technological self-management, encouraging users to understand and
manage their tools independently.

Background Information:

Free software and the recycling of technological equipment are
essential for creating more accessible and sustainable technology.
Free software, being open-source, allows low-income communities to
access quality tools without the burden of license costs. Recycling
equipment reduces electronic waste pollution and enables materials to
be reused, promoting a circular and sustainable technology model.

In underserved communities, lack of access to technology perpetuates
economic and social inequalities. Encouraging the adoption of
open-source software and the recycling of devices helps reduce these disparities while mitigating the environmental impact of electronic
waste.
]

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Cybercirujas unites Argentina, empowering communities with tech and ------------------------------------------------------------------- sustainability
--------------

After the Pandemic, the project evolved into a thriving community.
People across the country united around the idea, forming a federal
network. Surprisingly, Cybercirujas rooted itself in provinces like
Córdoba, Santa Fe, Misiones, and Buenos Aires, sparking incredible
growth.

As we progressed, the Cybercirujas movement transformed into a hub
where people learned about technology, free software, and
environmental care through reuse. Expanding my role as an educator
beyond the classroom, I shared technical knowledge about computers,
advocating for responsible technology use.

Soon after, we organized workshops and events to address various
concerns, which evolved into collaborative, community-driven
initiatives. We organized Reparatones--open workshops where
participants repaired their broken or damaged electronic devices
alongside experts and volunteers. We also launched the Hardware
People's Pot, inspired by solidarity-based community meals. At the
event, we shared tools and knowledge to repair technological
equipment, fostering self-sufficiency and promoting recycling.

Additionally, we conducted workshops on Free Software, advocating for accessible, sustainable, and privacy-friendly technological tools.
These sessions introduced alternatives to proprietary programs, often
demanding costly licenses or restricting user data control. Extending
the life of equipment, we empowered communities and individuals with
limited resources through essential knowledge.

Cybercirujas events transform into creative hubs for learning -------------------------------------------------------------
technological innovation
------------------------

Over time, the Cybercirujas movement transformed events into vibrant discussion, connection, and learning. Each event transformed into a
space for learning and technological empowerment. Enthusiasm and
creativity buzzed through the events, creating a vibrant, communal
atmosphere. Music from a recycled Commodore 64 [an 8-bit home
computer introduced in January 1982] filled the air, while graffiti
artists used their talent to emphasize the importance of the cause.

Activists, curious individuals with no prior experience, students,
families, teachers, and single heads of households traveled long
distances to obtain refurbished computers. Undoubtedly, their
presence highlighted our work's impact and the transformative power
of purposeful technology.

[Turning discarded electronics into tools of empowerment,
Cybercirujas bridges the digital divide and fosters community-driven
tech solutions.]

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Remarkably, my coworkers' unique and experimental creative spirit
stunned me. At one event, I watched Marcelo build a video game
controller using a deodorant ball, while Gonzalo and Nahuel hacked
payment terminals to turn them into game controllers. These
alternative devices, almost like museum pieces of the future,
expressed a bold and free challenge to how we interact with machines.
Their creativity and technical skills demonstrated that technology is
a form of art.

The communal experience and the opportunity to make a tangible
difference in people's lives felt incredible. I stood amazed as
combining action with learning sparked critical thinking. Empowering
others turned into an act of resistance. I felt immensely satisfied
seeing technology become accessible and useful for everyone, rather
than an exclusive consumer good.

Sergio turns his struggles into service, helping families through -----------------------------------------------------------------
technology
----------

One day, the disassembled equipment in the hack lab overwhelmed our
hands. Then, Sergio appeared--a man with a tired look and slumped
shoulders, carrying a story that hinted at a complicated past. Drawn
by a newspaper article, he arrived from the southern suburbs of
Buenos Aires as he needed a simple computer for work and study. As he
spoke, his eyes revealed a mixture of hope and resignation, a look
familiar to anyone who faced many rejections.

[Volunteers and community members used their skills to create
alternative tech solutions and share knowledge, proving that
technology can be a tool for both art and social change.]

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Eagerly, Sergio shared his story with me, describing his long trips
by bus and train. With his children, he journeyed from afar, seeking
a dream of a better life. When I handed him the computer, I saw the
weight lift from his shoulders. As he walked away with the machine,
his children's smiles lighted the way. At that moment, I realized the
CPU opened a door for them when all the others seemed closed.

Years later, Sergio became a pillar of our movement, not just a user.
He recycles, repairs, and delivers computers to other families like
his own, always sharing the story of his first encounter with us.
Watching him solder circuits with steady hands amazes me. A recycled
computer sparked change in him, fueling a lifelong conviction. Every
CPU he hands over carries his conviction and inspires a smile.

Refurbished computers unlock new opportunities and hopes for ------------------------------------------------------------
struggling families
-------------------

In particular, I will never forget when a family from Malvinas
Argentinas [a county in Buenos Aires Province] arrived to pick up a
computer. Although they traveled 60 kilometers, the journey felt
eternal for them. They took two buses and a train, arriving with
their two children in their arms and a determination which reflected
a much deeper need. When they saw the computer, the mother broke into
tears. For them, the computer provided the chance to study, work, and
stay connected in a world that left them behind.

While I helped the father load the CPU and monitor, the kids held the
mouse and keyboard tightly, as if gripping the keys to a new world.
As the kids clung to their parents while carrying the equipment, I
saw the impact of the digital divide and the opportunities lost
without technology. Saying goodbye, I witnessed gratitude and renewed
strength reflected in their eyes. I knew the journey home would be
long, but the computer would unlock avenues once beyond reach.
Certainly, it did not just involve giving; it sparked a brief moment
of equality, too often missing.

[Cybercirujas grew into a nationwide movement with volunteers and
communities across Argentina.]

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Most people who come to us for computers are women including single
mothers and heads of households. I see them arrive with their
children in hand and a look of determination in their eyes unlike
anything else. Their strength and desire to change the course of
their lives, even if the road is uphill, always inspires me. I
vividly remember a young mother, around my age, arriving with her
young daughter. They traveled from far away after a long train, bus,
and subway ride, carrying dreams and expectations at every stop.

When we finally handed her a computer, the little girl's face lit up
as she discovered it also had games. Silently, the mother felt the
weight of a new opportunity: a computer to help her work, study, and
offer her daughter entertainment and learning. During our farewell,
the mother told me the long and arduous return trip now carried
emotion and purpose.

Firmly, she held the monitor, while the girl embraced the CPU as if
it were a gift. Consequently, the computer became more than just a
tool; it marked a change of course. It represented a possibility, not
measured in numbers, but felt in the deep heartbeat of a mother who
knew everything could change from then on.

Cybercirujas volunteers revitalize Buenos Aires library with donated --------------------------------------------------------------------
tech
----

One rainy afternoon, Cybercirujas volunteers arrived at a popular
library on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. The librarian, an older
woman with a tired but determined look, greeted them warmly. She
explained how the space became a refuge for the young people of the
area, who found books and community activities as an escape from
their difficult environment. However, the worn and obsolete computers
no longer worked properly, limiting access to information and
learning opportunities.

Attentive to the woman's words, the volunteers unfolded the donated
equipment: CPUs, monitors, keyboards, and cables. The librarian
watched with restrained excitement, imagining the changes these new
resources would bring. As young people began to arrive, they were
surprised to see the equipment shining under the dim lights of the
library. Some approached timidly as we showed them how to use the
computers. Soon, people filled the computers with searches for
information, homework, and laughter shared in simple games,
transforming the atmosphere into something warm and lively.

As they said goodbye, the librarian felt moved and thanked the
volunteers. She knew the donation was more than technology; it was a
seed of hope. Ultimately, this gift created a space where a
generation could learn and dream. As I left, I turned and saw young
people sitting in front of screens, connecting to the world beyond
their borders. Later, the library began offering workshops using
those computers, creating a new space for learning.

Cybercirujas advocates for a more just future, using technology to ------------------------------------------------------------------
bridge gaps
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Today, Cybercirujas represents much more than computer repair; it
provides an opportunity to question and transform our relationship
with technology. It also promotes social justice by providing
refurbished computers to individuals and families who lack access.
Together with my team, we provide digital inclusion tools, helping
people advance their education and access job opportunities.

As more people join the cause, the Cybercirujas community builds
collective awareness of responsible consumption and sustainable
technology use. The way the project connects people nationwide to
create positive change compels me to expand the movement even more.
Witnessing the impact of a computer on someone's life strengthens my confidence, pushing us closer to our goal.

Currently, technology is designed to become obsolete every year,
leaving people as spectators of something they do not understand.
Fighting against this challenge is tough, especially in Argentina,
where people often prioritize other issues over them. However, every
story, computer delivered, journey, and effort reminds me it is worth
it. Without a doubt, it is not just about machines; it is about
social justice and offering opportunities people would not have
otherwise. Every delivery, every talk, and every day of repair
represents a victory in the struggle for a more just and conscious
world.

The community's dedication and efforts inspire me to keep going, even
though there is still a long way to go. I am confident I will
continue fighting for responsible consumption to bring change for
everyone. In Cybercirujas, I find a vibrant and supportive community,
sharing my vision of a more just and conscious world. I commit to the
project as I strongly believe technology should serve people, not big
business. Every interaction, every story of someone receiving a
refurbished computer, reaffirms I am doing the right thing. Through a
strong sense of justice, I strive to find balance in this chaotic
world.

From: <https://orato.world/2024/11/25/cybercirujas-bridges-digital- divide-empowers-underserved-communities-with-refurbished-computers/>

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